Galteemore

Where does one begin to comment? Simply spectacular. Really evokes Victorian elegance. I can identify with the exponentially growing list of jobs...... This has been a huge project for you, involving new techniques such as lathe work. It’s turning out incredibly well.

Great stuff Noel. This problem solving is a key part of the modelling process. On my regular running route there is a very steep and unpleasant hill - I often save up a problem that needs solving to give my mind a distraction from the torment my lungs are in!

Yes - that’s him! Roy Grayson purchased 27 from NIR in 1970 and then sold it to the RPSI in 1980. Here’s the relevant magazine. - complete with a letter from one JHB Snr....https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/38423919/five-foot-three-number-25-railway-preservation-society-of-ireland Over 40 years since that photo was taken - and in 1980 Lough Erne was barely thirty years old.....

This was the handover in 1980. £5k it cost the RPSI then. Equivalent of £21k now. The planned (never happened) restoration was estimated to cost £15k in 2021 prices!

This is brilliant. Proper old school CIE.

Excellent stuff. Kato make good units at a fair price - I had a fair amount of Japanese N at one stage and loved the quality.

Very nice Jb. I’m sure I was there (aged 1 so don’t recall, but probably not far from the sales tent ! ). Lough Erne looks deceptively healthy here. By 1972 I have heard she could barely hold enough steam to move!

This is brilliant. Really recalls the western corridor stations I remember

LOL I liked those so much I’ve already posted separately ! Interesting details such as the sheer size of the larger vans, and the lightly rebranded ex GN open.

Nice shots in Ernie’s Flickr account today for you....

Those look great !

Wow. Time travel to 1900. This is just gorgeous. Well done on the lathe work too. Sir Henry’s photobombing is also noted ! And I know what you mean about that scratch building list.....

Is that the Irish equivalent of the classic ad that graced linesides on the Big Island ?

Lovely. Little bits like the point rodding have a huge effect on a micro layout: you have to focus in on a small area so the detail really pops in a way that can be lost on larger layout.

This is how it works in the military field ...https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/royal-air-force-loses-battle-control-trademark-roundel/199607 The basic issue I think is about protecting a particular brand identity, rather than common cultural symbols. The Union Flag is a common cultural symbol - the RAF was arguing that the roundel is not. And the RAF actually retains a fair degree of control as to who uses the symbol. Airfix (or its parent) will have an MoD licence for producing kits of RAF branded aircraft.

Welcome back Colm. Hope you post more. BCDR tanks have been under discussion here of late so your fine work is making a timely appearance !

Yes. Interestingly, 4 was not an RPSI engine at this point, and was still in ‘company’ service. 171 was running with an old VS tender in those days. And the RPSI didn’t own her either at that point - think it was the NI Transport Holding Company who actually owned 171 until 2003. As her boiler went out of ticket in 02, she has, technically, never steamed under RPSI ownership!

Wasn’t it stunning? Proof positive too that SLNC locos had red coupling rods!

Tamper at Downpatrick (now converted to a hedge trimmer) looks roughly similar. I do remember NIR had several when I was growing up.

Gorgeous. I first encountered these as a child when I saw Drew Donaldson’s clockwork ones - in the layout that dominated his house ! I’d love to build one myself if I get my current scratch loco finished, although I have struggled with Inchicore’s curved footplate before on a kit. Mr Holman may well beat me to the D19 anyway!

My dad thinks Limerick or Connolly might be candidates. Bottom pic - looks like a tamper. Note Lough Erne at far right. Apparently pilot loco would drop off at Kingsbog Junction after the formidable climb up Monkstown Bank and then run back light to Belfast.

Just finally acquired this book. Lovely little anecdote in the intro about Mr and Mrs Bredin’s housemaid, who was a bit of a spotter and was not happy to learn that GSR policy of banking trains out of Kingsbridge should apply to the 800s too. She interrupted breakfast one day in breathless excitement to report that 800 had just passed on the Cork Mail with the supposed banker frantically racing a coach length behind trying to catch up!

Look forward to whatever you produce Paul. I think the S in S scale really stands for ‘scratch building’ - it’s hard enough tracking down Irish stuff in 7mm never mind S ! It’s a fascinating scale though and your work is most inspiring. Kilbrandon brings real colour and life to those old monochrome photograph scenes we all know from Welch, Lawrence etc. Any chance of a close up of your Kerry Bogie pls? ! I have seen Arigna Town as was in the flesh and loved it. But David’s backdating process is proving most interesting and the old liveries, which are out of living memory now, are really beautiful. Ballisodare station would have been wonderful for train spotting c1905 with a veritable rainbow of colours on show!

Look forward to seeing this develop. My dad’s introduction to railways was being set on the footplate of a BCDR loco at Donaghadee c 1948. He’s never forgotten the smell of coal and hot oil. Although my railway loyalties lie to the south and west of Ulster, the BCDR has grown on me over the years. I’ve come to appreciate the high points of its history such as the 1940s renaissance of 2-4-0 no 6, and the highly impressive Comber-Belfast timings. BTW Halford’s Rover crimson spray paint is a good and cheap way to get a nice BCDR carriage colour. Here it is on a little LSWR saloon I built a few years ago....

When I have sold various collections - British N - Japanese N - UK O - I have sent a list round various traders and compared the offers. Rails of Sheffield were ok if not overly generous. Contikits may be worth a punt as they specialise in....well the name rather gives it away...